CLEANUP BEGINS FOR YARD FILLED WITH DIRT, DEBRIS

Mounds of dirt at least two stories high are being carried away in dump trucks from a home that has been a neighborhood sore spot for more than two years.

In some portions of the 3.5 acres at 6500 SW 148th Ave., the illegally filled yard is 11 feet higher than surrounding properties.

"I am majorly concerned about the flooding and debris that is constantly coming on our property," said neighbor Joseph Conrey. "I was afraid of a mudslide. They flood me every time it rains. I can't even let my horse out in the back yard."

For years, Conrey and Peter Bonasto have been seeking the town's help because the yard next door does not hold rainwater as required by the Central Broward Water Control District. Instead, it collects in their back yard.

Although the drainage district only allows 70 percent of a site to be filled, all of the property was covered with mounds of dirt, tree parts and other organic materials.

"This has dragged on long enough," Bonasto said. "They should've had this done a long time ago."

Since 2002, town officials have cited Domingo Perez and his business, Oticentro Inc., for filling the property without a permit. Perez now owes about $300,000 in fines.

In August, the town threatened foreclosure. Shortly afterward, Perez began to remove the dirt.

"I know it's been a long haul, but we are real happy to see it's getting done," Bonasto said. "But I would like to get a due date, since we've been waiting for years."

Town Administrator John Canada said as long as work on the property continues, the town will not foreclose. However, whether Perez must pay the fine will be determined by the Town Council at a later date.

"The first time they aren't out there, I think we've got to pull the cord and continue with the foreclosure," he said.

The town engineer and code compliance officer have estimated it would take three to four months to bring the property into total compliance.

While there, they found other code infractions, including an electrical line hanging too low, derelict vehicles on the property and invasive plants that will have to be removed.

Nicolas Gutierrez, an attorney representing Perez and his company, said there are numerous reasons the work was not done earlier.

One is a communication problem, he said. The homeowner speaks mostly Spanish.

"There were all kinds of mixed messages coming from the drainage districts and residents who purported to act on behalf of the town," he said. "If the Perezes were intent on defying the town, they would not be spending tens of thousands of their own money to come into compliance."

After the excess fill is removed, Gutierrez said, the next step is to create a berm to keep the rainwater on the property.

"We, I think, demonstrated to the council that we are diligently working full speed ahead to come into compliance," Gutierrez said. "We are going to keep checking in, monitoring and having meetings with folks until we are done."